Exclusives

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

BLOG POST

Did Brookings Get It Wrong?

A recent Brookings study on the 2020 homicide wave tells a simple story: unemployment plus closed schools plus guns equals crime. But is the story accurate?

January 20 - Michael Lewyn

Front of White House with stormy sky above.

FEATURE

How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning

An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.

January 19 - Planetizen

String lights across an alley in Cranford, New Jersey at night.

BLOG POST

Midburbs: A New Definition of Suburbs

When the name “suburb” just doesn't quite fit.

January 17 - Gabe Bailer - PP - AICP - NJ Urbanthinker

Blue electric bus at charging station with monorail train passing on elevated rail above and older model trolley bus in background.

BLOG POST

The Impact of Sustainable Transportation Solutions on Urban Mobility

Discover how sustainable transportation solutions are transforming urban mobility, enhancing efficiency, and reducing environmental impact.

January 15 - Devin Partida

Radical Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina before Hurricane Helene.

BLOG POST

Post-Helene Reflections on Solastalgia and Community

Solastalgia is an increasingly relevant word that refers to the homesickness one feels when still at home, caused by distress due to environmental change in one’s home environment – for example, after a hurricane or wildfire.

January 13 - April Economides

Low angle view of busy crosswalk with pedestrians and a bike.

FEATURE

Planning Year in Review 2024: An Ongoing Housing Crisis, the Fight for Climate Resilience, and a Mixed Bag for Transportation

A pedestrian safety crisis, rising housing instability, and destructive extreme weather events set the stage for an eventful year.

January 12 - Diana Ionescu


For Lease painted on window of vacant commercial space.

BLOG POST

2024: The Year in Zoning

Cities and states are leaning on zoning reform to help stem the housing crisis and create more affordable, livable neighborhoods.

January 8 - Diana Ionescu

Exterior of Gerald Ford Presidentail Library with fountain at night.

BLOG POST

How Transit-Accessible are Presidential Museums?

Most Presidential libraries and museums have some transit accessibility, but none are in big-city downtowns.

January 7 - Michael Lewyn


Large Walmart store with empty parking lot.

BLOG POST

How Smaller Supermarkets Could Transform American Communities

Bigger is not always better.

January 2 - Marcelo Remond

Child looking up at Christmas lights in city at night.

BLOG POST

December Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month

Making room for more housing, fixing broken sidewalks, and our favorite books of the year.

January 2 - Diana Ionescu

Pedestrians in a busy city intersection with a cirty bus passing behind them.

FEATURE

Save Lives on Our Roads Using the Safe System Approach

Prioritizing safety and committing to the SSA framework can make a big impact in the effort to reduce traffic fatalities.

January 1 - Beth Wemple

Aerial view of New Jersey and New York City.

BLOG POST

Is Crime More Concentrated in Spread-out Cities?

Our nation's most transit-friendly cities have lower crime rates than many sprawling cities- yet some people seem to feel safer in sprawling cities because they believe that in sprawl, crime is concentrated in just a few neighborhoods. Is this correct?

December 26 - Michael Lewyn

Worker in white hard hat and yellow safety jacket holds tablet in front of large electrical utility installation.

BLOG POST

Smart Cities and Utilities: Enhancing Energy Efficiency Through IoT Integration

Learn how IoT integration in utilities is boosting energy efficiency in smart cities, aiding urban planners in sustainable development.

December 25 - Devin Partida

Scenic seasonal landscape from above aerial view of a small town in countryside Cleveland, Ohio.

FEATURE

Planetizen’s Top Posts of 2024

The most-read articles on Planetizen in 2024.

December 24 - Diana Ionescu

View of pavilion rooftop on Toledo riverfront.

FEATURE

The Glass City’s Riverfront Sparkles with Promise

How Toledo is transforming its waterfront into a beloved community space.

December 22 - Scott Carpenter

Close-up of person standing and holding book on train platform.

FEATURE

Planetizen’s Top Urban Planning Books of 2024

Top of mind in 2024 were the far-reaching impacts of climate displacement, zoning as a solution to the housing crisis, and the potential for safer roads and better public transit in American cities.

December 19 - Planetizen Team

Aerial view of harbor with modern buildings in Copenhagen, Denmark.

BLOG POST

Retrofitting Old Cities for Sustainability

Explore strategies for retrofitting old cities to enhance sustainability while preserving historical integrity and managing logistical challenges.

December 15 - Devin Partida

Multifamily housing under construction.

FEATURE

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11 - John D. Landis

Woman at desk with laptop and extra monitor with Zoom session open.

FEATURE

From 9-to-5 to Anytime: How Telecommuting Changes the Traffic Game

Not all cities have benefited equally from congestion relief brought on by shifting commuting patterns.

December 10 - Andreea Neculae

College Students

BLOG POST

Applying to Graduate School in Planning: A Second Update

In 2008 and 2018, I wrote some much-read blogs about how to get into planning school. As deadlines near, I revisit that advice. I look first at the big picture of the case you need to make for the admissions committee and then the logistics.

December 9 - Ann Forsyth

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

FEATURE

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8 - Ruscena Wiederholt

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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